Tarxien

About Tarxien

Hal Tarxien was established as a parish in 1592. Eventually, from Tarxien emerged the parishes of Paola (1910), Fgura (1965), and Santa Lucia (1969). In this village, one also finds the chapels of St. Mary and St. Bartholomew of the Corner (1776) and the Church of All Souls, located in the village’s old cemetery (1675). 

Until the 1960s the people of the locality of Tarxien earned their living from agriculture, mainly by selling milk, but today that has changed altogether. Today we find Tarxien to be a busy town and quite an important business area in the south region of the islands. Read more about the different regions in Malta.

Wonder around the older parts of town to admire old houses with niches tucked away here and there on their facades and street corners. Many villas have a historical reputation, such as the grand summer residence of Bishop Leonard Abela (1541-1605) near the Church of St Bartholomew. 

History of Tarxien

The locality of Tarxien stands on the site of one of the oldest settlements on the islands, with a history of 4000 years. The inhabitants of those days gave worship to the Goddess of Fertility. It is a figure of whom was discovered in the Neolithic Temples of Tarxien in 1915. She now resides in the Museum of Archaeology in Valletta, along with many of the items collected from these temples. Within the Tarxien Temples were found objects of bronze, pottery, metal, figurines, ornaments, and carvings in stone, and even burnt human bodies.

An entire prehistory phase takes its name after Tarxien, and the Temples found here are considered of extreme importance in revealing the ancestry of the islands. The Tarxien Temples date from 3000BC to 2000BC and offer unique architecture and design compared to other similar Temples found on the Maltese islands, with evidence that the place was used for worship of the Goddess, to whom animal sacrifices were offered.

What to see and do in Tarxien?

Here are some places to interest that should not be overlooked when visiting or considering to purchase a Malta property for sale or rent in Tarxien. When compared to the localities in Malta and Gozo, such points of interest make Tarxien a one-of-a-kind locality to live.  

Prehistoric Temples                                                                                     

The earliest temple in the area is thought to date from around 3600 BCE. Animal sculptures and reliefs, notably goats and pigs, may be seen in the temples. The figurines unearthed in the Temples are around 2.5 metres tall and depict a Mother Goddess form. Several of these statues can be found throughout the temples, and they are thought to represent fertility. One of three little baked clay sculptures in the shape of what is thought to be a priest was also discovered here.

Tarxien parish church 

The parish church of Tarxien is dedicated to the Annunciation of Our Lady. Hence the people of Tarxien consider the Blessed Virgin Mary, particularly at Her Annunciation, as the Patron and Protector of their town and its whole population. 

The church was elevated to parish status in 1592, making it one of the oldest parishes of Malta. A crucial part of Tarxien culture is the feast of the Annunciation, whose feast is celebrated in late May or the first Sunday of June. It is celebrated with religious celebrations and liturgical services at the parish church and publicly with street decorations, band marches in the village streets, and large aerial and ground firework displays.

Resurrection of Christ church

Tarxien’s second-largest church, better known as “Ta’ l-Erwie,” is dedicated to the Resurrection of Christ. The name comes from the old cemetery that surrounds the church and means “of the spirits.” This chapel is located near the well-known Tarxien Neolithic Temples and is frequently visited by visitors. Many of the ancient remains were also discovered in the cemetery described.

Tarxien chapels

Tarxien also has two more little chapels. One of the chapels in the locality of Tarxien is dedicated to St. Bartholomew, was built in 1776 and holds paintings by Rocco Buhagiar. The second chapel, that dedicted to St. Mary, dates back to 1415 and is one of the few remaining modest churches devoted to Our Lady’s Assupmtion. It is one of the oldest churches in Malta, and has two bell towers and a state of the  Assumption in front of a modest dome.

There is also another chapel which is in the convent of the Sisters of Charity. This is dedicated to ‘Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception’. The same congregation have a school.

Also, another chapel is dedicated to St. Nicholas of Tolentino and a convent that belongs to the Augustinian Friars.

War Victims Memorial 

The War Victims Memorial in Tarxien is a monument in remembrance of the Tarxien victims who died during the Second World War. This sculptural piece, in bronze and marble, is a work of art by Chev. Alfred Camilleri Cauchi.

Villa Le Fevre 

The villa Le Fevre is an 18th-century baroque style house and in recent times, it was used as a primary school for the locals. Historian E.B Vella was also one of its Head Teachers.

Id-Dar tal-Kejka              

A recently restored and well-kept old building called Id-Dar tal-Kejka or, as it is sometimes known, ‘The Hermit’s Monastery’. This building dates back to the 18th century. Dar tal-Kejka (1736) in Triq Xintill, bears some beautiful carvings and offers a fine specimen of an old farmhouse.

Dejma Cross

The Dejma Cross is also an important landmark since it was used as a meeting landmark for the Dejma, who kept coastal watch against pirates.